British ultra-distance cyclist dies during race

British ultra-distance cyclist Mike Hall has died after being hit by a car while competing in a race across Australia, organisers said. Hall, 35, died at the scene after being struck on the outskirts of national capital Canberra on Friday on the final stages of the inaugural 3,300-mile (5,300 kilometre) Indian Pacific Wheel Race from Perth to Sydney. Organisers cancelled the event hours before it was due to finish at the Sydney Opera House as a mark of respect.
"The Indian Pacific Wheel Race has been cancelled with immediate effect in light of this morning's tragic incident," the statement said Friday. Hall was in second place in the solo race behind Kristof Allegaert from Belgium at the time of the incident.